The Canadian Stamp Collection

Experience the Canadian story through an outstanding collection of more than 3,000 stamps — every stamp that Canada has ever issued! Housed in a new gallery, the exhibition includes behind-the-scenes stories and unique artifacts.

Start at the very beginning, with the Province of Canada’s 1851 Three-Penny Beaver stamp designed by Sir Sandford Fleming, and work your way up to the most recent issue.

New to this exhibition, artifacts from the Museum’s collections help explore themes of philately, society, sports, culture, environment, history, economy and symbols.

Discover little-known stories and objects behind some of our country’s most memorable philatelic creations: the printer’s proof of the first stamp issued in 1851, the Northern Plains headdress featured in the 1972 “Indians of the Plains” stamp and the stained glass window reproduced in 1976’s “Nativity” stamp, among others.

Thanks to the Museum’s ongoing partnership with Canada Post, this living collection expands with each year’s new stamp issue.

The exhibition is developed by the Canadian Museum of History in collaboration with Canada Post.

Sir Sandford Fleming
Sir Sandford Fleming designed the very first Canadian postage stamp. Breaking with tradition, he suggested that it feature an animal, rather than a monarch. He chose the beaver: an animal that played a pivotal role in the development of Canada. This video explores his extraordinary life.

Online Exhibitions

The Museum has a number of online exhibitions related to postal history and heritage.

Travelling Exhibition

Philately and postal heritage are also part of a new exhibition opening in November 2014. The Museum is partnering with the Currency Museum of Canada in developing Voices from the Engraver, a travelling exhibition on the creative process involved in designing stamps and banknotes. This exhibition will be presented at museums across the country, reaching Canadians from coast to coast.

Satellite Exhibition

The Cavendish Post Office, in Prince Edward Island, hosts Yours Sincerely, Lucy Maud Montgomery, an exhibition that follows assistant post-mistress and beloved author of Anne of Green Gables in her real-life postal exploits to get her manuscript to publication. The exhibition is presented by the Canadian Museum of History in collaboration with its presenting sponsor, Canada Post.